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Corbin student in SCC Physical Therapy Assistant Program wins national award
Isaac Mills, a second-year student in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Somerset Community College has been named the recipient of the 2008 American Physical Therapy Association’s Orthopaedics Section’s Outstanding PTA Student Award. Mills was nominated for the award by Sam Brown of Monticello Physical Therapy, whom he met while assisting with free sports screenings for rural Kentucky athletes. Recipients of the award are selected based upon academics, community service, leadership, and potential contribution to the physical therapy profession.
Mills graduated from Corbin High School with a 4.0 grade-point average and served as the captain of the school’s basketball, football, and track teams. He was listed among the top 15 receivers for Class AA Schools in Kentucky for the 2004-2005 football season by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and planned to attend the University of Cincinnati to play football.
In the final game of his high school football career, Mills suffered a knee injury that required two surgical interventions. The injury left him unable to participate in college athletics and, subsequently, he was unable to attend the University of Cincinnati as planned.
“Looking back, I feel fate intervened,” Mills stated. “After receiving several months of physical therapy, I knew where my interests lay.”
Mr. Mills was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to attend Somerset Community College and was accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
In 2007, he was awarded the James H. Anderson Award for Outstanding First-Year Physical Therapist Assistant Student. He served as the student coordinator for the 2007 SCC Physical Therapy Open House, a large recruiting event that is open to faculty, staff, students and the community and serves as a means of educating the public about the profession. He also volunteers as a peer tutor and mentor to first-year program students. He has participated in charitable events for Special Olympics and multiple sclerosis, volunteers at the Christian Health Center Long-Term Care Facility and acts as a volunteer basketball referee. He is also an active member of the SCC Physical Therapy Student Organization and the SCC Karate Club.
Mills received letters of support from classmates Bethany Gosser of Liberty and Billy Brummett of Corbin.
“Isaac is not only a person of great character; he is also always willing to give of his time in order to help others,” wrote Brummett.
Ultimately, Mills plans to further his education and obtain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Kentucky or to attend medical school.
“Isaac is an exceptional student and I have absolutely no doubt that he will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. He is a real asset to our profession,” stated PTA program Director Ron Meade. “He has great potential and we are proud that he is a part of our program. This is an especially prestigious award and our program feels honored to be recognized nationally.”
Mills will receive the award at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting this February in Nashville.
Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.
KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.
